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Country Life

There’s a lot to love about the Banana Shire and even more to see and do.

The people of the region are salt of the earth types. Genuine and open, they tell you how it is, usually with dry wit and a wry smile. You can find yourself chuckling for days over something someone said. It’s just that kind of plac

GET SET TO BE BOWLED OVER!

Hard work goes with the territory. Agriculture and mining are the big industries, in that order too. The region was built on the sweat and toil of pioneers, pastoralists, food growers, geologists, engineers and miners.

The lifestyle is laid back. Family and community orientated, most activities centre around fishing and camping, sports and social clubs, festivals and events.

The seasons govern what goes on and everything fits around them.

That makes for a busy events calendar, with festivals, carnivals and competitions scheduled between March and October.

Most events happen in late winter and early spring. In fact, the coming of spring is the biggest event of the lot. Everything is new – native flowers blossom, carpeting the valleys in colour, birds sing, butterflies appear, crops are right for the picking and the weather is perfect.

With valleys, rivers and creeks and high mountain ranges, the Sandstone Wonders are not just a fantastic attraction – getting there is half the fun. You can spend days exploring Isla, Expedition and Kroombit national parks and the waterways of the Dawson River. Take your time, no rush.

Fishing Competitions

Working Cattle Dog Trials

WHAT ARE THE NATURAL ATTRACTIONS?

As the eastern gateway to the Sandstone Country, Banana Shire is home to its fair share of sandstone wonders and nature reserves of rare features and astounding beauty. Banana Drive Trails and Loops will take you to these special places, so you can discover and experience Banana Shire’s natural treasures.

WHERE CAN I GO FISHING?

CAN I VISIT THE COAL MINES? ARE THERE COAL MINE TOURS?

Coal was discovered in the Banana region in the 1940s and several mines operate in the north based at Baralaba, Moura and Callide, 20 km outside Biloela.

The mines do not operate tours.

View the Callide Coal Mine in action from the Callide Mine Lookout. Check out the Queensland Heritage Drive Trail for directions to Callide Mine Lookout and Callide Dam and Callide Power Station Lookout.

View the Dawson Mine from a viewing platform off the Leichhardt Highway. Check the Banana Loop trail drive for details.

HOW MUCH COAL DOES THE REGION PRODUCE?

Callide Mine opened in 1945 and now has one of the world’s largest walking draglines at 128 metres. Moura’s coal mining interests followed in 1950, when mining was established in the Dawson Valley. Together, Callide Valley and Dawson Valley coal production in 2014-15 totalled more than 17.7 million tonnes.